Small Bites

Standard Pizza Co.: Jim Coleman, who recently opened a New York-style pizza joint on Haywood Road, insists there's "nothing too fancy" about his pies. But, if pressed, Coleman will talk about an available topping that's anything but standard.

"We do put bananas on pizza," Coleman says. "That's kind of weird."

Photo by Jonathan Welch

Coleman came up with the banana concept during an 11-year stint at an Atlanta pizzeria, where he decided that pineapple didn't deserve to be the only pizza-worthy fruit.

"I've always liked the idea of having something sweet on pizza," Coleman says. "I think it's pretty great."

Still, Coleman stresses the bananas are the only unusual item on a menu featuring salads, breadsticks, calzones and pizza. He purposely didn't stray into sandwiches or pastas, which he guessed would distract from the pizzeria's primary goal.

"We really wanted to keep the pizza outstanding," he explains.

Standard Pizza Co., 631 Haywood Road, is open Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Sun.,  noon -11 p.m. For more information, call 255-8122

Curras Dom: According to a post on the AskAsheville blog earlier this month, the upscale pan-Latin eatery Curras Dom in North Asheville is set to close this week, barring "a miracle."

"Without an outside investor and an answered prayer, the doors will be closing on January 3, 2010, and a great Asheville business will be lost. Maybe you can help or support Curras?," the post pleads.

Owner Marco Garcia was not available for extensive comment at presstime — he'd been without power for four days when the Xpress reached him by e-mail — but he thanked customers for their concern.

Curras DOM opened in March 2008 in the Weaverville Highway spot that formerly housed HB's. It was locally renowned for its sizzling queso dip and avocado margaritas.

Downtown Market: If anything about the popular grocery liquidator Amazing Savings wasn't so amazing, it was the hours: Regular customers grumbled about not being able to shop on Sundays. But the store's newest location boasts a seven-day-a-week schedule. Amazing Savings at 45 S. French Broad Avenue, inside the Downtown Market, is open every day from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, call 277-0805.

PHI Bar: The bar and bistro at downtown's Hotel Indigo is positioning itself as the solution to late nights and holidays when every restaurant seems to be closed: Phi Bar is open "365 days a year, beginning each night at 5 p.m. and staying open until at least 10 p.m." food-and-beverage director Gabe Fore writes. Fore describes the restaurant's specialty as "New American/French-fusion cuisine," which — in practice — means warm goat cheese fondue, waffle-cut potatoes tossed with blue cheese, grilled pork sliders and chicken-bacon flatbreads. While the menu emphasizes small plate presentations, Phi also offers entrée specials that Fore calls "elegant and fun."

Phi is open to the public. To learn more, call 239-0239.

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